Guardian and Observer charity appeal: call our…

Guardian and Observer charity appeal: call our journalists to donate

Some of the editors, reporters and columnists taking part in the 2016 charity appeal telethon. Photograph: Guardian Design

The Guardian and Observer’s Christmas appeal in aid of refugee children has raised almost £650,000 so far, with the phones remaining open until 6pm and the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and columnists Gary Younge and Owen Jones among the journalists taking calls.

Individual donations have ranged from £1,000 to £1.33, from one caller who said he only had £1.34 in his account.

Our journalists are taking your donations for child refugees until 6pm GMT. You can call 020 3353 4368 to talk to them. #gdntelethon pic.twitter.com/LmSEKKZBwQ
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 17, 2016

This year’s appeal is in aid of refugee children, and today, for one day only, our readers have the opportunity to donate to this important cause while speaking to some of the best known names from the Guardian and Observer.

Our team of writers and editors will be answering your calls until 6pm today to take credit card donations in aid of the three fantastic charities we are supporting this year. They are Help Refugees, which distributes food, clothing, shelter and medicine to refugees across Europe, Safe Passage which provides legal advice to unaccompanied refugee children to help them apply for asylum in the UK and The Children’s Society which provides services from language lessons to mentoring.

Please call 020 3353 4368 until 6pm.

We've been overwhelmed by your generosity. Here's how you can take part in today's #gdntelethon: https://t.co/55EsBRqV7f pic.twitter.com/qWPv29xq4y
— Society Guardian (@SocietyGuardian) December 17, 2016

This is your chance to ask Peter Bradshaw for his film recommendations for 2017, discuss Brexit with Polly Toynbee or gnaw over the ending of Westworld with TV critic Sam Wollaston - while contributing to this urgent cause.

Thank you for your generosity so far. Please help us to raise even more money this Christmas to help children who have fled war and disaster.

Who’s taking part?

Esther Addley - senior reporter

Catherine Bennett - Observer columnist

Robert Booth - senior reporter

Sarah Boseley - health editor

Owen Bowcott - legal affairs correspondent

Peter Bradshaw - film critic

Patrick Butler - society, health and education policy editor

Jess Cartner-Morley - fashion editor

John Crace - parliamentary sketch writer

John Domokos - video producer